While I realize my query is somewhat regional in nature, I imagine there will be some similarities country wide.

The town where the car and I live (Mission BC) has only Canadian Tire to do this inspection. Should I go with them?

If I go one town over (Abbotsford or Maple Ridge) there are many choices. Maple Ridge has West Coast Lincoln whom I deal with (Sorry Carl, Hello JD) and have a Service relationship with. They are listed as being able to do this.

I want a good inspection so car is safe so as not to kill my family or anothers- but I dont want it failed for stupid things by someone wanting to drum up business.

If you have an advisor you trust stick with him. And if you bring him a coffee from time to time you'd be surprised at all the perks that will give you. This is coming from a guy who was a service advisor at dealerships for years.

Anyone but Canadian Tire in my opinion. They are so rigid in their policies, they are the ones you need to worry about as far as "drumming up business". Abbotsford isn't far away...

Last time I went to a CT was to buy some new snow tires. Took the car for the install, they paged me in the store and said they couldn't get the wheels off, something wrong with the wheel locks. The wheels on a VW are bolts and the locks on the VW were a female bolt head with grooves lining the head. You insert the male key into the head and the kid working on the car had not put the key all the way in and stripped the female key. Did this on 3 wheels before he called me in. They couldn't get any of the 3 off, and sent me out the door with 3 wheels I couldn't get off if I had a flat. I had to take it to my VW dealer who had to weld a bolt onto the lock to remove it.

My VW dealer has a couple of old GM mechanics there, I take my old cars there for wheel alignments, they can be trusted. VW just told me there was something wrong with my car, not their fault, sounds like your Lincoln dealer may be a good one too.

Been there with silly inner province policies. I think it is because nobody is allowed to think common sense past what the computer screen in front of them says. Its obvious really... need an inspection to get BC papers... need inspection to do that... need insurance to get there. Duh?!?!? its so frustrating.

Congrats on getting it sorted. Sounds like the Lincoln dealer probably enjoyed having something nice in for a change. Take Todd's advice on that one.

It's funny, your picture strikes me that the 59 is 3/4 scale when compared to the truck and car beside. I laugh when people call our cars big boats. Boats yes, but I don't find them too big at all compared to new stuff.

Many thanks to all for kind words. None of the Fords impressed me except for the Continental - see post in lounge.

It was nice to actually drive the Pontiac on the highway. The 261 sure pulls along nicely. I have to get used to coming to a complete stop to get first gear. Also have to practise starting off on a hill.

The only other 261 standard that I drove was the poor yellow one pictured in my profile. When I was 14, I used to take plates off and siphon gas from my mothers Bobcat aka Pinto (Sorry Carl - Hello JD) and drive around the neighbourhood- St.Vital - Winnipeg.

She used to complain that the then 6 year old little Ford was really drinking the gas.

If you first shift into second and without letting the clutch out, go into first and it may not grind. Second is synchronized I think, so it stops the grinding at slow speeds. At least this works for reverse in my other vehicles where reverse is not synchronized.

Congrats on getting it sorted. Sounds like the Lincoln dealer probably enjoyed having something nice in for a change. Take Todd's advice on that one.

It's funny, your picture strikes me that the 59 is 3/4 scale when compared to the truck and car beside. I laugh when people call our cars big boats. Boats yes, but I don't find them too big at all compared to new stuff.

What an awesome car.

That photo really illustrates how bloated today's cars have become, and how much higher they have become. '59s were probably the pinnacle of the long and low movement. You feel that when sitting in them as the seating position feels more like you are sitting low with your legs extended to the front (it's not really that bad, but a distinct difference from other cars I've driven). Not to mention that you have to be careful not to whack your knee on the dogleg for the wrap around windshield.

It's been a long time since I had my '60 Chev with the three on the tree, but I recall you can shift into first if you rev-match while you are downshifting.